Concealable stretch panel for carrying loose items on luggage and the like

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to luggage and baggage of all types. A concealable panel is incorporated into articles of baggage, including traditional luggage, suitcases, backpacks, school bags, and carry cases of all types to selectively form an outer accessory pocket. While the panel is preferably made of a stretchable mesh-net, it may also be made of a solid woven or knitted fabric materials, being elastic or inelastic. The panel is attached along one edge to the inside of a pocket on the carry case and it includes releasable devices such as resilient clasps to attach the opposed end to the outer wall of the carry case. When not in use, the panel may be folded upon itself and stored in the pocket, which includes a zipper closure device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application No.60/497,450, filed Aug. 22, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference and made a part of this disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to the field of luggage, including items such asall types of carry cases, including suitcases, backpacks and the like.More particularly, this invention relates to a concealable stretch panelfor carrying loose items on the carry case when needed, but isretractable to a concealed position when not in use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of baggage, including traditional luggage, suitcases, backpacksand the like, has been increasingly common, not only for individualstraveling extensively away from their homes, but also for individualscommuting to and from work or traveling on a limited basis. Often sucharticles of baggage generally include openings either on one side oranother of the article or pivotable panels which are closed by closuremechanisms such as zippers or the like.

In using such articles of baggage, most individuals complete packingtheir belongings into the carry case and often find either prior todeparture or while en route that they have need to pack additionalitems, either being items they had forgotten to pack or items theyacquired after beginning their travels. In such instances it is oftennecessary for them to open the baggage en route to insert the forgottenor newly acquired items. In some instances, opening the baggage may becumbersome while traveling since many articles of luggage often includea pivotable panel which must be totally unzipped and disconnected andpivoted away from the carry case.

In some instances, articles of baggage have been provided with pocketsplaced on the outside of the baggage for insertion of additional items.However, many of these pockets are insufficient in size to carryarticles larger than those which would normally fit into an individual'shandbag or jacket pocket. In fact, in some instances, the outsidepockets are constructed of a mesh material which allows them to expandto hold various size items, and the elastic material is adapted toreturn to its original size when the items are removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,146 to Siwak relates to baggage with a retractablebeverage container pocket in which the pocket is constructed of meshmaterial and has an elastic strap along the upper edge that allows thepocket to expand to support various size containers such as bottledwater. When not in use, the pocket is intended to be held collapsedagainst or inside the article of luggage by a closure mechanism such asa zipper to conceal the pocket for aesthetic appearance purposes. Thepocket disclosed in the Siwak patent is attached at opposed ends and isenclosed in a zippered shroud so that when the zipper is opened and theshroud is made to separate, the pocket expands outwardly and is attachedat the two opposed ends. In the fully open position, the pocket assumesa generally cylindrical configuration as it is intended for receptionand holding only a single beverage container.

The present invention relates to a concealable panel for forming anexternal pocket for carrying loose items on all types of baggage,including carry cases such as luggage, backpacks and the like, whereinthe panel is attached along a single edge to an outer portion of thecarry case and made to retract completely within a compartment providedon the same outer portion of the carry case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article of baggage is disclosed, which comprises an enclosure forcarrying personal articles or the like, the enclosure having at leastone outer wall portion and a panel attached at least at a first end tothe outer wall portion. The panel has at least one releasable connectingdevice associated with a second end generally opposite the first end toreleasably attach the second end to the outer wall portion to form anouter pocket for retaining articles or the like. The outer wall portionof the enclosure includes a storage pocket for reception and storage ofthe panel when not in use.

At least a portion of the panel is preferably of mesh construction, butmay be of conventional woven or knitted fabric. The panel includes afirst fabric section at the first end, the first fabric section beingconnected to the outer wall portion and the mesh portion being connectedto the first fabric section. Preferably, at least two releasableconnecting devices are attached to the second end of the panel forreleasably attaching the second end to the outer wall portion to formthe outer pocket. Furthermore, the panel further comprises a secondfabric section at the second end portion and the at least two releasableconnecting devices are attached to the second fabric section.

Preferably, the first and second fabric sections are woven. The portionof the panel of mesh construction is preferably formed of interconnectednylon or nylon/polyester blend elastic yarns such that the mesh portionof the panel is elastic. The releasable connecting devices arepreferably releasable spring clasps. Furthermore, the enclosure ispreferably at least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag, andbackpack.

In the preferred embodiment, the article of baggage comprises: anenclosure for storing personal articles or the like, and having at leasta bottom wall portion and a plurality of sidewall portions; a panel offabric or the like attached at a first end to one of the sidewallportions, the panel having a second end which is free and being movablebetween a withdrawn position and an extended position; a pocketassociated with the at least one side wall portion in the region of thepanel for reception and storage of the panel when in the withdrawnposition, the pocket including closure means for selectively closing andopening the pocket for respectively storing the panel therein or forpermitting withdrawal of the panel therefrom to form the pocket on theside wall portion. At least two releasable connecting devices areattached to the free end of the panel, and at least two correspondingattachment devices are respectively positioned on the at least one sidewall portion for attachment by the connecting devices when the panel isin the extended position for forming an accessory pocket on the sidewall portion. The enclosure may be at least one of a carry bag,suitcase, schoolbag and backpack or the like, having at least a bottomwall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls defining an interiorstorage space for receiving and storing personal articles or the like.

A method is disclosed for forming an accessory pocket on an article ofbaggage, the article of baggage including an enclosure having aplurality of walls defining an internal storage space for receivingpersonal articles of the like, comprising:

-   -   a) positioning a panel of material or the like adjacent an outer        surface of one said walls;    -   b) attaching one end of the panel to the adjacent wall, the        other end of the panel being free;    -   c) providing releasable connecting devices on the free end of        the panel;    -   d) providing correspondingly spaced attachment devices on the        one wall for connection by the releasable connecting devices        when the free end of the panel is extended to a distalmost        position; and    -   e) extending the free end of the panel to the distalmost        position and releaseably connecting the connecting devices to        the correspondingly position attachment devices to form an        accessory pocket on the enclosure.

According to the method, at least a portion of the panel is comprised ofan elastic mesh material such that the accessory pocket is extendable toallow insertion of articles of personal property or the like to beinserted therein. The elastic mesh material preferably includes CORDURA®brand fibers.

The invention also relates to a stretch panel attached at a first end toan outer wall of an article of baggage, the panel having releasablespring clasps at the free end thereof, the releaseable clasps adaptedfor releasably connecting the free end to corresponding attachmentdevices on the outer wall. The attachment devices are spaced from theattached first end of the panel such that the panel is extendable towardthe attached devices to form an outer accessory pocket on the outer wallof the article of baggage.

The outer wall of the article of luggage preferably includes a storagepocket in the region of the attached first end of the panel for storageof the panel when not in use. The storage pocket has closure means foropening the storage pocket to facilitate storage of the panel thereinand for permitting extension of the panel therefrom when needed to forman external accessory pocket on the article of baggage. The first end ofthe panel is preferably attached to the outer wall inside the storagepocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view from above, of an article ofluggage incorporating the concealable stretch panel forming a pocket forcarrying loose items constructed according to the invention, the stretchpanel comprised substantially of a cargo net-type stretchable materialpanel;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1,illustrating the concealable stretch panel in the extended position andattached to an outer portion of the main body of the article of luggageby releasable spring clasps;

FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the lower portion of thearticle of luggage of FIG. 1, illustrating the zippered compartment forreception of the stretch panel of the invention in its concealedlocation;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view from above, of an alternativeembodiment of the concealable stretch panel forming a pocket forcarrying loose items constructed according to the invention, wherein thestretch panel is completely detachable from the connecting panel by atwo-part separable zipper, the panel shown in the attached position insolid lines as well as in the detached position in dotted lines;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5illustrating the stretch panel in the extended position and attached byreleasable connecting devices to the outer panel of the article ofluggage;

FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view from above, of anotheralternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the concealable stretchpanel is incorporated into a traditional backpack and the cargo mesh-netmaterial panel has been substituted by an elastic stretch materialpanel, or non-elastic material panel, which is preferably woven; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7,illustrating the concealable stretch panel of FIG. 7 in the extendedposition for reception of loose articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description which follows, the inventive concealable panel iscontemplated for incorporation into all types of carry cases which arereferenced to herein generally as articles of baggage. As notedpreviously, such articles of baggage may include traditional luggage,suitcases, backpacks, school bags, professional brief cases and thelike, all being referred to herein generally as articles of baggage.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a left side perspectiveview from above, of an article of luggage 10 incorporating concealablestretch panel 12 extended to form a pocket 13 for carrying loose itemsconstructed according to the invention. The article of luggage may be inthe form of the carry case as shown, with or without wheels, fortraveling purposes, and it may be constructed of a fabric material suchas nylon, polyester or blends thereof, or it may be constructed oftraditional suitcase materials such as leather, vinyl, or combinationsthereof.

Referring now again to FIGS. 1 through 4, the stretchable material panelis preferably constructed of a stretch net material similar to thoseused in cargo net panels which are generally provided with sport utilityvehicles for retaining articles in position in the cargo area. Inparticular, the mesh-net is preferably made of a blend of elasticmembers combined with nylon or nylon/polyester blends which areinterconnected or knitted to form the mesh. Alternatively, the panel maybe woven of a nylon/polyester blend fiber, such as the product marketedby, E. I. DuPont De Nemours, Wilmington, Del., under the registeredtrademark CORDURA®. CORDURA® fibers are also extensively used tofabricate the main portions of fabric carrying cases. The net panel mayalso be constructed by attaching such stretch fibers at variouslocations to form a net or, as noted, alternatively, it may beconstructed by a weaving or knitting process to provide a stretchablenet panel. Still alternatively, the panel may be woven as a conventionalpiece of woven fabric of the same or alternative blends of fibers as isused in the article of luggage, with or without the elastic membersincorporated.

In FIG. 1, the panel 12 is attached to the outer panel 14 of the articleof luggage by a fabric panel 16 which is, in turn, attached to the lowerportion of a zippered pocket 18 by stitches 20 shown in FIG. 4. Thefabric panel 16 may be of the same material as is used to make thearticle of luggage and is readily foldable as indicated in FIG. 4 topermit retraction and concealment of the stretch panel 12 into thepocket 18.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the stretch panel 12 includes at thefree end, a pair of spring clasps 22, 24, which include spring-biasedrelease bars for releasably attaching the clasps to eyelets 26, 28attached to the outer panel 14 of the article of luggage.

In operation, the stretch material panel is folded upon itself as shownin the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, when not in use, whereby it isinserted into the pocket 18 provided on the outside of the article ofluggage and placed in a concealed position whereby the pocket is closedwith the zipper 30. When additional items are to be carried by the carrycase and the carry case is either full or in a location where openingpanel 14 presents some difficulty, the pocket 18 may be quickly openedby releasing zipper 30 and extending the stretch panel 12 to theposition shown in FIG. 1, whereby clasp devices 22 and 24 may beattached to the eyelets 26, 28 respectively. Thereafter, a plurality ofextra items can be inserted into the pocket formed by the space betweenthe outer panel 14 and the stretch panel 12 for retention andtransporting along with the article of luggage.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown an alternative embodimentof the concealable mesh-net stretch panel 112 of the invention which issimilar to the construction of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 1to 4. However, the panel 112 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is attached to the fabricpanel 116 by a connector panel 117 and a separable zipper 119, havingseparable halves 115 and 121. The separable zipper 119 is of the typegenerally used to attach half sections of articles of clothing wherebythe zipper halves may be completely detachable from each other as shownin FIG. 5.

Referring further to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mesh-net panel includes a pairof clasps 122, 124 which are respectively attached to eyelets 126, 128as shown and which function in the same manner as the clasps previouslydescribed in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown another alternativeembodiment of the invention, wherein the concealable stretch panel 212is incorporated into a traditional backpack 211 and is attached to thebackpack in the same manner as is the mesh-net stretch panel of FIGS. 1to 4, i.e., by being sewn or otherwise attached to fabric panel 216,which is concealable within zippered pocket 218. The pocket 218 isprovided with zipper 230 for closure purposes to completely conceal thestretch panel. However, in this embodiment, the panel 212 is in the formof a stretch panel which is either knitted or woven of elastic yarns inplace of the cargo-type mesh-net of the previous embodiments. A woveninelastic panel may also be used.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 provides increased coverage for theloose articles to be carried as opposed to the mesh-net of the previousembodiments which generally expose the articles to air circulatedthrough the openings of the mesh-net. In addition, it should be notedthat the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 also includes spring clasps 222,224 which are attachable to the panel 214 of the backpack by attachingthe clasps to eyelets 226, 228 in the same manner as is disclosed in theprevious embodiments. As in the previous embodiments, when the stretchpanel is not required, the clasps 222, 224 are simply released from theeyelets 226, 228 and the panel is folded upon itself and inserted intothe pocket 218 for concealing purposes. Thereafter, the zipper 230 isclosed to provide complete concealment of the stretch panel 212.

Still alternatively, the panels in each of the above embodimentsdisclosed may be in the form of woven or knitted fabric materialssimilar to the fabric used in many articles of luggage, and it may bemade of either elastic or inelastic fibers. Further in the case ofleather-type luggage, the panel may be made of leather or vinyl, orcombinations thereof.

It should be readily understood that the various embodiments disclosedherein can be combined in any desired manner. For example, the mesh-netembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 can be incorporated into the backpack of FIG.7, and the woven or knitted fabric material panel 212 of FIGS. 7 and 8,in elastic or inelastic form, can be incorporated into the embodimentsof FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS. 5-6, with or without stretch capability,depending upon the indicated needs and required uses dictated by themarket.

1. An article of baggage, which comprises an enclosure for carryingpersonal articles or the like, said enclosure having at least one outerwall portion and a panel attached at least at a first end to said outerwall portion, said panel having at least one releasable connectingdevice associated with a second end generally opposite said first end toreleasably attach said second end to said outer wall portion to form anouter pocket for retaining articles or the like.
 2. The article ofbaggage according to claim 1, wherein said outer wall portion of saidenclosure includes a storage pocket for reception and storage of saidpanel when not in use.
 3. The article of baggage according to claim 2,wherein at least a portion of said panel is of mesh construction.
 4. Thearticle of baggage according to claim 3, wherein said panel includes afirst fabric section at said first end, said first fabric section beingconnected to said outer wall portion and said mesh portion beingconnected to said first fabric section.
 5. The article of baggageaccording to claim 4, wherein at least two releasable connecting devicesare attached to said second end of said panel for releasably attachingsaid second end to said outer wall portion to form said outer pocket. 6.The article of baggage according to claim 5, wherein said panel furthercomprises a second fabric section at said second end portion and said atleast two releasable connecting devices are attached to said secondfabric section.
 7. The article of baggage according to claim 6, whereinsaid first and second fabric sections are woven.
 8. The article ofbaggage according to claim 7, wherein said portion of said panel of meshconstruction is formed of interconnected nylon or nylon/polyester blendelastic yarns such that said mesh portion of said panel is elastic. 9.The article of baggage according to claim 8, wherein said releasableconnecting devices are releasable spring clasps.
 10. The article ofbaggage according to claim 9, wherein said enclosure is at least one ofa carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag, and backpack.
 11. An article ofbaggage, which comprises: a) an enclosure for storing personal articlesor the like, and having at least a bottom wall portion and a pluralityof sidewall portions; b) a panel of fabric or the like attached at afirst end to one of said sidewall portions, said panel having a secondend which is free and being movable between a withdrawn position and anextended position; c) a pocket associated with said at least one sidewall portion in the region of said panel for reception and storage ofsaid panel when in the withdrawn position, said pocket including closuremeans for selectively closing and opening said pocket for respectivelystoring said panel therein or for permitting withdrawal of said paneltherefrom to form said pocket on said side wall portion; d) at least tworeleasable connecting devices attached to the free end of said panel;and e) at least two corresponding attachment devices respectivelypositioned on said at least one side wall portion for attachment by saidconnecting devices when said panel is in said extended position forforming an accessory pocket on said side wall portion.
 12. The articleof baggage according to claim 11, wherein said enclosure is at least oneof a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag and backpack having at least abottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls defining aninterior storage space for receiving and storing personal articles orthe like.
 13. The article of baggage according to claim 12, wherein saidpanel is generally rectangular in shape and includes at least a portionof elastic mesh construction to facilitate forming an outer stretchpocket for insertion of accessory articles of the like therein.
 14. Thearticle of baggage according to claim 13, wherein said panel compriseswoven fabric borders along each side, said panel being attached to saidat least one side wall portion by said fabric border at said first endand said releasable connecting devices being attached to said fabricborder at said free end of said panel.
 15. The article of baggageaccording to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said panel iscomprised of woven or knitted fabric.
 16. The article of baggageaccording to claim 12, wherein said closure means for said panel storagepocket comprises a zipper and said panel is attached to said sidewallportion inside said storage pocket.
 17. A method of forming an accessorypocket on an article of baggage, said article of baggage including anenclosure having a plurality of walls defining an internal storage spacefor receiving personal articles of the like, comprising: a) positioninga panel of material or the like adjacent an outer surface of one saidwalls; b) attaching one end of said panel to said adjacent wall, theother end of said panel being free; c) providing releasable connectingdevices on said free end of said panel; d) providing correspondinglyspaced attachment devices on said one wall for connection by saidreleasable connecting devices when said free end of said panel isextended to a distalmost position; and e) extending said free end ofsaid panel to said distalmost position and releaseably connecting saidconnecting devices to said correspondingly position attachment devicesto form an accessory pocket on said enclosure.
 18. The method of formingan accessory pocket on an article of baggage according to claim 17wherein at least a portion of said panel is comprised of an elastic meshmaterial such that said accessory pocket is extendable to allowinsertion of articles of personal property or the like to be insertedtherein.
 19. The method of forming an accessory pocket on an article ofbaggage according to claim 18, wherein said elastic mesh materialincludes CORDURA® brand fibers.
 20. A stretch panel attached at a firstend to an outer wall of an article of baggage, said panel havingreleasable spring clasps at the free end thereof, said releaseableclasps adapted for releasably connecting said free end to correspondingattachment devices on said outer wall, said attachment devices beingspaced from said attached first end of said panel such that said panelis extendable toward said attached devices to form an outer accessorypocket on said outer wall of said article of baggage.
 21. The stretchpanel according to claim 20 wherein said outer wall of said article ofluggage includes a storage pocket in the region of said attached firstend of said panel for storage of said panel when not in use, saidstorage pocket having closure means for opening said storage pocket tofacilitate storage of said panel therein and for permitting extension ofsaid panel therefrom when need to form an external accessory pocket onthe article of baggage.
 22. The stretch panel according to claim 21wherein said first end of said panel is attached to said outer wallinside said storage pocket.